Er, who said that? ;-)

Actually Steve, I went through a very miserable phase (well, it wasn't THAT miserable!) when I entered a few comps and maybe hoped to get a bit of recognition. But of course nothin' happened so I decided to just write when I feel like it and stick it on here. The only thing I do enjoy that could be classed as recognition is when I perform my stuff (which is very rarely). If the audience seem to enjoy it then that is truly fab!
On WOL recognition is surely the comments we get on our bloggs. I always feel a bit disappointed when I don't get a comment on a poem, but I am trying to let that go. And, going back to my favourite elephant in the room, I do think that since we've had the new system (all your poems disappear except the last one) I've certainly had far less comments. But hey, maybe my poetry turned to crap on the night of Jan 31st 2011:)

I like being clapped.
(I'm not reporting history; I'm making a request).

Interesting question Steve. I think that you have to start with the basic premise that poems invariably start as internal monologues. Some stay there - many of mine do, perhaps just as well! But when we commit them to paper or the "screen" then this, by default, has to be because we wish someone else to read them, i.e. share our thoughts. Once we have released them out into the wider world it would probably be quite arrogant to suggest that we don't want any feedback or to find out what other people's opinions of those thoughts might be.

For myself I can only say that yes, I do get a buzz when people seem to like or connect with something I've written - I suspect that's true for everyone. It's an affirmation of those thoughts and a "recognition" that what we do is in some way worthwhile. Dopamine levels up, endorphins released, smiley face etc.

The world of competition and publication is, I fear, slightly different. It seems to me that both are fraught with difficulty and risk. Some poetry publications seem so specialist and, dare I say it, "elitist" that unless you are part of a certain clique there is little chance of success. Competitions (and although I've never entered one I have sat on shortlisting panels for them) often come down to the decision of the "celebrity" judge. This one person's approval is, it seems to me, a poor way of establishing the "worth" of a poem. It's subject to all kinds of internal prejudices and preconceptions.

Here on WOL, for the most part, poems are subject to scrutiny from a balanced and diverse audience from all kinds of backgrounds and disciplines. Perhaps this kind of feedback is more representative, and dare I say it, "honest?"

As for wider recognition, now that's a different prospect altogether. Am I likely to be the next generation's Kipling or Frost? Not a chance! But surely you can allow me that idle dream?!

Regards,
A.E.

And yes John, you deserved to be clapped (thinks out loud: "In irons preferably!")

I write poetry because I enjoy the challenge. Its always feels good when my work is appreciated by anyone.
I enjoy performing/sharing/reading my poems to whoever will listen. Its such a joy.

I'd agree with all that's been said. Desire for approval and recognition is quite a natural instinct. I probably wouldn't write much poetry if I intended shoving it in a drawer. I love to perform and I love to post it on here cos it enables me to share my thoughts and feelings - also to entertain in some way.

As Anthony says, it is much, much harder to get recognition in competitions and the publishing world. There are so many people out there - often doing it much better - even if you get beyond all the petty jealousies and dodgy judging.

I am lucky to receive plenty of comments on my work - despite the changes made on 31st January. I put this down to the fact that I comment a lot on others, know lots of people from the performance scene and that I like to write about subjects people can identify with.

Counting the quality of your poetry in comments is a nonsense - we all know that really. There is some great stuff posted that gets overlooked and a very natural tendency to home in on the poems of people we know...

An interesting thread Steve. x

I'd like to know why all the 'performance poets' you ever see on the telly are total and utter shite. I have sat there slack-jawed on occasion thinking 'everyone is gonna think WE'RE all like that' - and we're not, we're WAYYYY better than anything I've seen ont telly!!!

Are there TV programmes with performance poets on? I've not seen them.
A few days ago I won some money for a couple of poems and I got asked to do a support slot for John Cooper Clarke. Now I've lost all that money at Cheltenham races and I bet John Cooper Clarke doesn't even turn up.

That'll teach ya! :)

I have also nevernevernever seen any performance poets on TV. I've noticed that quite a few of the adverts use rhyming - I'd not go so far as to call it poetry maybe. "I like chedder on me toast - it's the kind that I like most" sort of thing. Is poetry getting popular?

Pardon me been stupid what happened on 31st January here! Did I miss something?

In a ideal world for me, recognition would be a best-seller of course but providing I get respect off people I respect that's enough for me with my writing whether on the page or on stage.

After only doing my first open mic, it was good to know what works and what doesn't, so laughter, applause and silence can be a good thing in learning when performing, it's just combating the nerves.
Then, maybe the natural desire and dream to be recognised will happen, with a little bit of help from others.

Re performance poets on telly - I saw a few over crimbo on Sky Arts, in between all the Johnny Cash shows. You see them here and there scattered about. All RUBBISH. Leaves me absolutely bemused as to why they have been chosen.

The number of postings has dropped since the change on Jan 31st. Certainly in February there were over 100 fewer poems posted than in January. January's figures showing the number of overall comments never appeared as it was Paul Blackburn who used to post them on the first day of the new month. Prior to that (Jan 31st change), there were indeed more poems posted month on month, practically each month being a record. But I'm not bothered about any of this now, it's water under the bridge, but I just happened to mention it in this thread. Maybe it is good to have fewer poems. If folks were feeling swamped, then so be it. And certainly the more that comments are spread around the better, esp among new members.

I have noticed new work from a few poets who haven't been on the site or posted in ages. Perhaps the fact that their work stays visible for longer than nano seconds, has some bearing on that. There are clearly swings and roundabouts in every situation.

in your spare time do you watch paint dry ?

Ouch... that would depend on the colour, texture and situ of the paint...

I write because I have to. I now have a 'folder' well exceeding 250 poems. Recognition is always encouraging, invigorating; it verifies that your ideas work. Money would be fabulous. I dream of my own book that readers would choose to keep handy - because they want to read again something that Cynthia wrote. My book would be called just 'Cynthia'. It is not impossible.

sounds good cynthia , i would buy one :)